VIETNAM REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 002080

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

Department for EAP/MLS and IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN VM
SUBJECT: VIETNAM REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT


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1. (SBU) On August 15, the Ambassador met with MFA International
Organizations Department Director General Pham Binh Minh and was
officially informed of Vietnam's candidacy for a non-permanent seat
on the UN Security Council for the term 2008-2009. The texts of a
diplomatic note and aide memoire on the subject are included below.


2. (SBU) In requesting U.S. support for Vietnam's candidacy, DG Minh
noted that Vietnam will be the only Asian country seeking a UNSC
seat. In addition to already having received the endorsement of
fellow ASEAN countries, Vietnam expects to receive endorsements soon
from other Asian countries as well. DG Minh remarked on Vietnam's
strong commitment to international peace and stability and said the
country hopes to cooperate with other UNSC members to promote peace.



3. (SBU) The Ambassador responded that Vietnam's candidacy will
prove valuable to its process of integration in the world community,
but noted that UNSC membership will require a commitment of
additional resources and a more dynamic role at Vietnam's UN
mission. The Ambassador also mentioned U.S. practice not to confirm
its support for any candidacy prior to the vote.


4. (SBU) Vietnam understands the heightened responsibility that
comes with UNSC membership and Vietnam will have to "look at issues
from a different perspective," DG Minh said. He mentioned the
efforts that Vietnam has already undertaken in preparing for its
candidacy, including consultations with the UK, Singapore and others
about the role and responsibilities of a UNSC member.


5. (SBU) Begin text of diplomatic note:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of
America in Hanoi and has the honor to inform the latter that the
Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has decided to
present its candidature for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security
Council (UNSC) for the term 2008-2009, for which elections will be
held at the 62nd Session of the General Assembly in 2007.

This important decision stems from Vietnam's foreign policy of peace
and its strong commitment to the United Nations noble goals as well
as Vietnam's wish to make greater contribution to cooperation among
countries in the world to promote the role of the United Nations in
international political life, especially in maintaining
international peace and security. Vietnam currently stands as the
only Asian candidate for the 2008-2009 term and has the consensus
support from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and from many countries from different parts of the world.

Based on the excellent relations between the two countries within
the bilateral framework and at international fora, Vietnam kindly
requests the Government of the United States of America for the
valuable support of Vietnam's candidature as a non-permanent member
of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2008-2009 at the
elections to be held in 2007.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
has the pleasure to enclose herewith an Aide-Memoire on Vietnam's
candidature.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the
United States of America in Hanoi the assurances of its highest
consideration.

End text of diplomatic note.


6. (SBU) Begin text of aide memoire.

AIDE MEMOIRE

The Vietnamese Government presents its candidature for the
non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
of the 2008-2009 term for which elections will be held at the 62nd
Session of the General Assembly in 2007 in New York. Vietnam's
candidature was officially presented in 1997 and is currently the
only Asian candidature for the 2008-2009 term and has the consensus
support from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) declared at the 35th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in
Brunei in July 2002 and from many countries from different parts of
the world.

Vietnam is strongly committed to the principles and purposes of the
United Nations

--Vietnam has always and strongly been committed to the principles
and purposes of the UN Charter, fully complied with international
law and has firm confidence in the central role of the United
Nations in maintaining international peace and security.

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--Vietnam supports the strengthening of multilateralism and
considers multilateral approaches, conducted via the UN and regional
organizations, effective and sustainable means of resolving issues
of common interests.

--Vietnam fully realizes the importance of reforms of the UN and the
Security Council so that the United Nations can become more
effective in dealing with the new challenges of the 21st century.
Vietnam will do its utmost to make active contribution to this
significant process.

Vietnam always tries its utmost to contribute to the work of the
United Nations

--Vietnam has always fulfilled the obligations of a UN member state,
including the financial contribution to the UN budget. Vietnam has
participated in the most responsible manner in discussions over
different issues of the international community's interests such as
development cooperation, human rights protection, and conflict
resolution. Vietnam is also highly appreciated for its
determination in fulfilling obligations of international treaties
and programs and plans of UN agencies.

--Vietnam has actively taken part in UN policy-making activities in
the positions as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly in 1997,
2000 and 2003; member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
in the 1997-2000 term; President of the 33rd General Assembly of the
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); member of the UN Human
Rights Commission in the 2001-2003 term, member of the Executive
Council of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Population
Fund (UNFPA) in the 2000-2003 term; member of the Board of Governors
of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) in the 1991-1993,
1997-1999, 2003-2005 terms; member of the Executive Council of the
Universal Postal Union (UPU) of the 1999-2004 term and of the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the 2003-2007 term.


Vietnam is strongly committed to the consolidation of international
peace and security

--Vietnam supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes
through dialogue based on the fundamental principles of
international law and the UN Charter and a comprehensive approach to
international peace and security.

--Regarding anti-terrorism, Vietnam supports the efforts of the
international community towards effective measures to counter
international terrorist activities and eliminate terrorism in
accordance with the United Nations Charter, the fundamental
principles of international laws and in full respect of national
sovereignty. Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other countries
in the world in combating and eliminating terrorism. Vietnam has
acceded to key international treaties on anti-terrorism. Vietnam
works closely with other countries and international organizations
in enforcing those multi-lateral treaties of which Vietnam is a
member, as well as resolutions of the United Nations on this issue.
Vietnam has fulfilled all the obligations, including the obligation
to submit national reports in accordance with the anti-terrorism
Resolution No. 1373 (2001) adopted by the Security Council.

--Vietnam supports general and complete disarmament. Vietnam is
party to important treaties on disarmament including the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),the Biological Weapons Convention
(BWC),the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and adheres to the UN Register for
Conventional Weapons. Vietnam has signed the Southeast Asian
Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ). Vietnam has fully
complied with the UN Security Resolution 1540 (2004) on
non-proliferation.

--Vietnam is an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and
makes effective contribution to the International Organization of
Francophonie (OIF). Vietnam was the host of the 7th Francophonie
Summit (1996),the 6th ASEAN Summit (1998),the 5th Asia-Europe
Meeting (2004) and Vietnam will host the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Summit in November 2006.

On the strength of these records, the Vietnamese Government strongly
believes that in the position of a non-permanent member of the UN
Security Council, Vietnam will play a more active, responsible and
constructive role in maintaining international peace and security in
service of the common interests of member countries. The Vietnamese
Government highly appreciates the valuable support of member states
at the elections to be held at the UN General Assembly 62nd Session
in the year 2007.

End text of aide memoire.


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MARINE